ADVERTISEMENT HOW TO PREP FOR THE first day of school

Going back to school after the long summer break can bring with it a whole range of feelings for both children and parents

Feelings of excitement, anticipation and anxiety are all completely normal It might be that your child is starting a new school, transitioning to Secondary school or just moving to a new class. For most children this anxiety will gradually fade as they settle back in; however, Dr Cyna Neave from Little Branch Child Psychology Service in South Ealing offers up a few tips that can help you and your child feel a little more prepared

LISTEN

Try to talk to your child and listen to any worries they might have about going back to school It can be very helpful to let them know how normal it is to have these feelings Listening and validating your child’s fears and worries can be enough to help them to feel better Some children might also benefit from talking to an older sibling/cousin or family friend who might have some helpful words of encouragement for them

If your child is seeking a lot of reassurance, it can be helpful to try to get them to problem solve for themselves So instead of being quick to reassure; “don’t worry you will be fine” respond to them with a question instead; “have you felt worried in the past? What helped you then/what have you tried in the past? What advice would you give your friend who said they were worried about going back to school? Children tend to respond better to solutions that they come up with themselves

PREPARE and PLAN

There are a number of things you can do to help prepare your child for the return to school As the new school year approaches it can be helpful to get children back into a good bedtime and mealtime routine Also involving them in some of the preparation; such as choosing a new pencil case/school bag and arranging a playdate with a school friend can be part of a helpful back to school process If they are starting a new school some children will benefit from giving the school journey a trial run, so they feel more confident when it comes to the first day back

Look After Yourself

Self-care remains an important part of our ability to manage the wellbeing of our children If we look after ourselves as parents and carers, then we will be more able to look after those around us Children look to the adults around them for emotional cues and so trying to manage your own anxiety and remain positive about your child’s return to school can be really helpful This is relevant in advance of the return to school but also at drop off times at the school gates

If you are particularly concerned about your child’s return to school then it can be helpful to speak to the school in advance of the return to think about some steps they might be able to take to support your child Finally, if you feel your child’s anxiety is having a significant impact on their day-to-day life and does not appear to be settling over time then it could be worth seeking specialist advice www littlebranch co uk